can I legally tow it?

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Topic author
chemist
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Location: Pocono Mts, PA

can I legally tow it?

Post by chemist »

I've been told the Astro I have can legally tow around 5400# and some of you already know that I've done just slightly more than that (ripped out stump, pulled tree, and towed home a cord of slightly seasoned firewood...) Well that's good, but I thought I should post anyway.

It's a 2003 ext AWD astro with 4.3L engine. The nice thing is it has the tow/haul mode to prevent undue tranny stress. I also have the dealer installed class 3 hitch with 7pt wiring harness (and converter for light trailers). I live in PA if that makes a difference for legal purposes. Here's what I plan to tow: http://www.ur.com/index.php/equipment/r ... ifications In short, it's a cherry picker that weighs 4600#, has a 400# tongue weight and may be 22 ft long as towed. Can I legally tow this?

Also, my van didn't come with the owners manual. So can anyone direct me to an online source that has the towing info? What's listed on my door doesn't seem very helpful in determining towing info.

Previous Vans: 1998 Astro, AWD, 138K mi; traded on 2003 Chevy Astro, AWD, 125K mi; traded on
2009 Chevy Silverado 1500 WT, 4x4, ext, long box
2007 Chevy Cobalt
1998 Maza MPV (180K mi and in need of PA inspection--only paid $500!)

Needed: a Gen 2 Astro project vehicle...

ihatemybike
I plan to be buried in my van
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Re: can I legally tow it?

Post by ihatemybike »

Don't see why not. We use Astros to pull other Astros on dollies and trailers which in total would weigh about the same.
Last edited by ihatemybike on Wed Jun 04, 2008 7:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Aaron

2005 Astro (Gandalf) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, 130k+ miles
1997 Astro (Grumpy - $250 Rally Van) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, LSD, 2" lift, 31" tires, 335k+ orig engine, $30 eBay fuel pump
Prev Astros:99,97,00,94,87,86

LiftedAWDAstro
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Re: can I legally tow it?

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

You can pull that pretty easily. In tow configuration it is a low profile so it will actually tow very well. What will kill these van is the high wind resistance loads like campers.
Current rides:
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition

Mileage spreadsheet

Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy

1996astro
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Re: can I legally tow it?

Post by 1996astro »

I have towed a lift like that several times and had no trouble. Heck I towed it with my Grand Prix, bad idea car had enough power but not enough suspension and I don't think the hitch was rated for it.
Brandon
Bay City, MI

1997 Astro LT 4x4 48,000 Miles,
Custom Lift: 3" body spacers, torsion keys,
4" leaf spring relocation mounts (by ME),
added a leaf spring from a 94 S10 blazer.
All this gives me 5-6 inches of lift.
General Grabber AT2 31X10.50R15
Custom fit Brush guard
Western 7' 6" plow pictures coming soon...
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1997 Buick Century 198,000 miles

Topic author
chemist
I finally get the smurf thing
Posts: 155
Joined: Tue Mar 13, 2007 7:30 pm
Location: Pocono Mts, PA

Re: can I legally tow it?

Post by chemist »

Thanks guys. I suspected it would be good, but I wanted to double check.

Previous Vans: 1998 Astro, AWD, 138K mi; traded on 2003 Chevy Astro, AWD, 125K mi; traded on
2009 Chevy Silverado 1500 WT, 4x4, ext, long box
2007 Chevy Cobalt
1998 Maza MPV (180K mi and in need of PA inspection--only paid $500!)

Needed: a Gen 2 Astro project vehicle...

Topic author
chemist
I finally get the smurf thing
Posts: 155
Joined: Tue Mar 13, 2007 7:30 pm
Location: Pocono Mts, PA

Re: can I legally tow it?

Post by chemist »

I think I forgot to give an update this. I towed it, but not that specific model. This is what I towed home.
http://www.jlg.com/en-US/Model.html?Bas ... 8cb1f085d7
Sorry, but I didn't think to get pics, but I was way too busy to get pics of it, because I had too much work to do, and way too little time to get it done in. But the specs are 4800 lb with 350 lb on the tongue.

The Astro also directed the fall of the tree trunks two days later. I do have pics of that :)
Tree trunk
Image
Asto assisted fall--I used a very long rope and another tree to loop around so the driver (SWMBO) didn't have to 'run' from the falling tree.
Image
A less blurry pic:
Image

This van is COOL!

Previous Vans: 1998 Astro, AWD, 138K mi; traded on 2003 Chevy Astro, AWD, 125K mi; traded on
2009 Chevy Silverado 1500 WT, 4x4, ext, long box
2007 Chevy Cobalt
1998 Maza MPV (180K mi and in need of PA inspection--only paid $500!)

Needed: a Gen 2 Astro project vehicle...
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GEJ
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Re: can I legally tow it?

Post by GEJ »

Yepper-I can atest to dolly tows of two Astros.(One without hardly any brakes on the tow van. #-o ](*,) ](*,) )The LT is still running afterwards.
Call me Gary

1985 Astro-"Ole Yellar"
1994 LT Astro
1981 Winnebago-"Baby"
12'dual axle enclosed trailer
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HPbyStan
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Re: can I legally tow it?

Post by HPbyStan »

I was going to bring up the brakes. An Astro with rear air shocks can pull way more than it can stop in an emergency.
'04 White AWD Astro cargo
'00 Astro / El Camino
'61 BSA Super Rocket
'71 BSA B50 engine in a '67 C25 250 chassis
Impossible is just a degree of difficulty....

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Re: can I legally tow it?

Post by Cobra »

that's for sure that's why i for one intend to do some brake upgrades this summer
1998 GMC Safari AWD, BFGoodrich AllTerrain T/A
Jet performance tuner 91 octane preset, Jet under-drive pulleys
Rancho 999000 series shock, on-board controller to be installed later
DHC rock rails and skid plate Add-A-Leaf
G3500 front calipers
Zexel Torsen Diff
11" drums
180 amp Alternator
Long tru-cool 4590 trans cooler

1997 gone
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